Rosalee Maxwell, the Director of Tourism for the City of Danville, has written a very detailed response to the concerns noted in SouthsideCentral’s “The Brew Fest Scandal Fest” article. Although her comments were in the original article, I feel that they also deserve the same article status as the original story. Click on the cutline below to see Rosalee’s response.
How ironic that once again, the public has been misinformed. But, why does that surprise me? It is so unfortunate that only one side of the story is told. Anyone can swing a vote with only half of the information.
Please allow me to clarify many of the incorrect points. I believe I know the “rest of the story” better than most as I am the past President for Danville Harvest Jubilee, the Director of Tourism for the City of Danville and I also serve as one member of the Brew Fest Committee.
The first incorrect assumption: the “CITY” is not the decision maker in this event, nor is the Tourism Division. Danville Harvest Jubilee is the facilitating organization for the Brightleaf Brewfest. DHJ is a non- profit, 501-C6 organization. This group of hard working volunteers annually coordinates a minimum of ten quality events.
This specific event is done as a fundraiser for Danville Harvest Jubilee. Why fundraisers? Not only does DHJ support other events, but they also have the same kind of bills that small businesses have such as insurance, fees for police, security and fire personnel, printing and postage, advertising, and more. The City of Danville does not cover these expenses. DHJ raises the funds to cover all of these expenses through sponsorships and ticket sales.
DHJ supports the community through hosting events held specifically at the Crossing of the Dan. If you remember way back in the 80’s and 90’s, the Crossing was not the beautiful entertainment complex Danville boasts of today. The Community Market had fallen into serious disrepair and became unusable even for one annual event, The Shrimp Fest. The Auctioneers Park was located in a flood plane; I was there one year when you could ride a canoe through the park. There were no public bathrooms at all. There was no permanent infrastructure for events, concerts, etc. Parking was difficult at best.
The board of directors worked diligently with city officials for many years to resurrect this historic area into a extraordinary facility. The amphitheater boasts some of the best features of an outside venue of its size in the south. The Board of Directors for Danville Harvest Jubilee was instrumental in reclaiming and preserving this area. Following the revitalization of the Pepsi Building and the Community Market, more change followed with the addition of the Danville Science Center, the re-adaptation of the Train Station and even the growth of the River walk trail. All of these are jewels are found in our downtown historic tobacco district.
Are you beginning to see the big picture here?
Revitalization of this area was paramount to the success and growth of the downtown business district.
DHJ has funded countless events held in this area over the past 29 years. Many of the members of the board of directors have worked either as board members or volunteers for many of these years. I only missed one year; I gave birth to my daughter during the Saturday event in 1988, or I would have been there.
How was DHJ able to fund these activities? Fortunately, these events were run with a business template and were financially successful more often than not.
As a seasoned event planner of 27 years, I believe the success of an event is judged not only by participation numbers but also by the final budget figures. This is a tough economic season. This year, the sponsorship committee decided it was necessary to recruit additional sponsorships. The event industry now attempts to have all aspects of events sponsored. I contacted a spokesperson for a national/international event and attraction organization for ideas on recruiting sponsors. This group even had the toilet paper sponsored one year. The national trend for event planners is to “sponsor” every single aspect feasibly possible. This is a business decision.
This accepted practice keeps the cost down for the individual attendee and allows the sponsoring organization to raise additional funds.
Another false impression: Texas Steakhouse did NOT contact the Brew Fest for sponsorship rights.
Another error: Don’t believe that “chain restaurants” do not pay the same fees as small, privately owned restaurants. Danville’s chain restaurants all pay meals tax, sales tax and property tax. These “chains” also provide many jobs to our residents. Many of our “chain” restaurants have proven to be wonderful community partners. Many times the staff members who work community events are not compensated for their time.
Why is DHJ or any fundraising group in this City required to “make it fair for the local restaurants’? Does that mean we shouldn’t ask any major company in the United States for sponsorship funds or does this only apply to small restaurants? Hmn…. I don’t see the logic here. I guess you make up rules that apply only in certain instances…
Personally, I love our small restaurants, but I also know that a city of our size must have our “chains” to not only meet the needs and demands of our residents, but also to serve our many visitors.
Another misconception: The organizers did not put the sponsorship out for bid, nor did it look for the “highest” bidder. The organizers put a dollar figure on the value of the sponsorship and began recruiting. Actually, Texas Steakhouse was NOT the first business approached. Bronx Boys was given first rights of refusal as a sponsor for 2009. However, they chose not to participate. It is unfortunate that they didn’t feel they could make as much revenue or get as much valuable advertising as another restaurant. Savvy businesses do not sponsor events for the “dollar” they will make at the event; it is for future return.
Another fallacy: The Community Market has only one kitchen. The Market will be utilized at both ends of the facility this year as is necessary to grow the event. It is not logistically possible to house four concessionaires in this area. There is simply not enough physical space in the kitchen for even two vendors to safely work out of.
The organizers are planning for a sell-out of 1,000 tickets. This will require a concessionaire who has the staff, equipment and experience to supply a lot of food, very quickly. We are very fortunate to be working with Texas Steakhouse.
Texas Steakhouse was a sponsor for the 2009 DHJ Concert Series and Fridays at the Crossing. Texas Steakhouse and their staff have been wonderful to work with this past year; they not only financially sponsored our events, but they also gave us many volunteer hours and even hosted events for DHJ in their venue. Texas Steakhouse has proven to be a wonderful community partner to many other groups and non-profits not associated with DHJ.
Is it a shame that there is a boycott? Absolutely.
Do you actually think any other event organizers will ever want to work with a small restaurant who may react to them in this manner? Absolutely not.
Is this publicity helping or hurting Bronx Boys? Since I work with the public every day, I have heard many people share their concern over the negativity of this couple.
This is the real shame.
You were correct in stating that my office has supported Bronx Boys and we will continue to do so on a daily basis. However, I am appalled and ashamed that these fine people would react in this manner. I have showcased Bronx Boys on the local tv show “What’s up Danville” several times, they are listed on our website, we even have included a stop at their restaurant on one of our new group tour itineraries. It made me deeply saddened and quite disappointed to see Bronx Boys act in this manner.
A resolution: Bronx Boy Bagels never once contacted the Brew Fest sponsorship committee to offer another suggestion, alternative or any other idea of working together. There were many options for this restaurant.
•Offer a special dessert at their premises “after the event”.
•Offer special packages for folks who are in town for the event.
•Offer to be a ticket outlet to draw more people to the store.
•Plan to carry the most successful beers in their business after the event to further encourage traffic to their establishment.
•And the list goes on and on….
In conclusion: Perhaps a lesson in Marketing could help. Customer Service is King. I personally do business with people who have positive, can-do attitudes. My mama always told me you could draw more flies to honey than you could to vinegar. Perhaps a little southern advice would be beneficial.
I personally support establishments who support the community. As a matter of fact, this is a national trend, many purchasing decision makers are now voting with their pocketbook and spending money with businesses who give back to the community. I strongly encourage Bronx Boy Bagels to re-visit their approach and become a positive, working partner in this City. I look forward to working with them on future projects and wish them great success.
Please make plans to join me and the other DHJ volunteers at the 2009 Bright Leaf Brew Fest. It’s a good thing, and it’s good for this community.
Most Sincerely – Rosalee Maxwell – Director of Tourism
Danville, Virginia
It sounds to me like the only real defense asserted here is that this is the way it’s done, so the citizens are just slack-jawed yokels if they don’t accept it. I don’t buy that. I also don’t care for the way the owners of the Bronx Boy Bagels are thrown under the bus after making an investment in this community out of who knows how many. That’s an excellent way to thank one of the few merchants who have been successful downtown even in a downturn.
No, maybe the Bronx Boy didn’t think out of the box to find a way to participate. I imagine they felt betrayed and soured to the event by the way this was handled. How many of these ideas listed were taken to the ownership of the bagel place in hopes of smoothing this over? Instead of extending an olive branch and trying to resolve this privately with them, we now have the Director of Tourism upping the ante with a personal attack. If that’s how marketing is done in this day and age, somebody needs to go back to the drawing board.
This is a tough situation. Both sides seem to have hurt feelings. And there was definitely lack of communication. And actually with this response, it seems like the Tourism Board didn’t give a crap until the boycott. Why didn’t they take those “outside the box” ideas to Bronx Boys Bagels – obviously they had thought of them before or they couldn’t have listed them here. Then they blame Bronx Boys for not reading their mind? This response really just seems like a ‘Oh sh*t, we got caught. Let’s try to make us seem like the victim and screw Bronx Boys a little bit more.’ This looks like a little pity party to push the focus off them and onto Bronx Boys Bagels.
I don’t attend these sort of events, so I don’t really care.
I will continue to support Bronx Boys because they have an excellent product, I couldn’t care less about the most recent “fest” at the train yard.
It seems to me that the DHJ group doesn’t quite understand the economics of running a “for-profit” business. There is a certain smugness in Ms. Maxwell’s commentary that indicates to me that she feels just the slightest bit above all of this. She might what to crawl down off her high horse before she falls off.
It sounds like a perfectly reasonable explanation to me.
Everyone loves to complain about events, but no one want to volunteer to help out. Large events are not easy to coordinate.
The truth has been told in the article in today’s Register and Bee. It appears that there was a “miscommunication” at DHJ. The e-mail we received indicated that a vendor approached DHJ about the exclusive sponsoship. Now, Ms. Maxwell says that DHJ approached Texas Steakhouse. Well, which is it? The only communication we received was the former. And why is Ms. Maxwell “throwing Ms. Vipperman under the bus.” Did Ms. Vipperman not tell us the truth or is Ms. Maxwell not telling the truth? Only they know. If Ms. Vipperman is correct, then the story stands. If Ms. Maxwell is correct, then she told a “fib” that we were contacted first and that we were offered right of first refusal. I can tell you for a fact that we were not offered a right of first refusal. You be the judge. Either way, our boycott stands.
Mrs. Maxwell obviously hasn’t heard the whole entire story, and is sounding very ignorant and needs to looks at this situation from everyone’s point of view, not just her own opinionated stuck up point of view. And whoever made the comment about volunteering to help out may want to consider giving Bronx Boy Bagels the money so they can join the festival, if not you may want to keep your ignorant comments to yourself. Lastly, the kitchen comment that Maxwell made in this article is funny, because if she actually ever went into to the restaurant she would know that cooking is minimal, it’s a delicatessen. Nice try though!
PA, how in the world to you equate volunteering with giving money to a business?
Logic is suffering in your comment.
Dumb ass Dissa, you’re all talk! You said “Everyone loves to complain about events, but no one want to volunteer to help out.” If you want someone to volunteer then maybe you should volunteer funds for Bronx Boy to attend the event, you can volunteer anything it doesn’t have to be just services so maybe if you knew anything you would understand but obvioulsy you don’t so stop trying to comment because you just making yourself look dumb.
Such smugness on the part of a city official. And she is the Director of Tourism? Please……. And you wonder why no one comes to Danville. Ms. Maxwell needs to take some “southern advice” and stop being so condescending to a Danville business who by the way pays her salary. I think the city needs to reevaluate her position with the city and see if some “Customer Service” classes aren’t in order.
Too many notes to respond to individually.
Dissa, thanks, perhaps you have worked or planned events before? Call me if you ever want to be on a committee or volunteer. We have dozens of opportunities for you year round. I appreciate your understanding.
PA, I didn’t talk about “cooking” in the kitchen; most caterers only use it as a prep kitchen. Take a look in there the next time you are at the venue. Not much room for lots of prepping or people. Only one fridge, one microwave, etc.
Watchman, tourism figures for Danville is up over the rest of the state for 2008 per TIA and VTC figures. So, evidently, someone is coming.
Hindsight is 20/20. Words are just that, words… Who said what to whom first? At this point, it doesn’t matter. The point is that a financial decision was made to go with a sponsor. Had Bronx Boys accepted, they would be the sponsor as the sponsorship committee wanted to give them first rights. Were we talking to other prospective sponsors at the same time? Who remembers, and who cares? The point is that the sponsorship was up for the taking by Bronx Boys FIRST.
A hit by the bus? Heather Vipperman is exemplary in her quest to expand quality events in Danville; I would take the bus hit first before ever tossing her under. BTW, both of us sat in her office did the R&B interview on her speakerphone. I too was taken aback by the blunt partial quote in the Register and Bee.
As to being smug and condescending; my sincere apologies if I have appeared either. It was most certainly not my intent. I tried very hard to give the big picture of why decisions were made as they were, what the funds are used for, the history of DHJ and so forth. My response was difficult to write to begin with; those of you that know me, know that I am very passionate about Danville and doing the best job I can, all of the time. My dad wouldn’t have it any other way. (Nearly 92 and still telling me to work hard every day.) Kangaroo hit it right on the head, “hurt feelings and miscommunication”. It’s hard to fix something you didn’t know was broken. Yep, I’m being a bit nostalgic here, but mom always told me never to write anything you didn’t want to read in the paper. How right she was. So, I really did try not to sound as if I were retaliating in an ugly manner.
Again, hindsight always makes things clearer… Should I have called all of the partners we worked with last year to brainstorm ideas for them to turn a profit at this event? I’m sorry, it simply didn’t occur to me; we had many partners and most of them were “chains”. Extend an olive branch? I honestly didn’t even know there were hurt feelings until I received a phone call about the boycott signage. I was and continue to be completely shocked and appalled. I had no idea, and nor did Ms. Vipperman.
To all of you who send spiteful comments and choose not to list your name, for shame. At least I have the guts to stand up tall and give you the facts as I know them to the best of my ability and knowledge. You throw stones from behind a fence…
To the Salamons, again, my office and I only wish you success. If I can be of assistance to you, please do not hesitate to contact me. Rest assured that we support you as we support all of our valuable downtown businesses and the rest of the hospitality industry in Danville. I am only speaking for myself, but I do hope you know how much this whole debacle saddens me. At the very least, this issue may assist other community groups and businesses in planning events, sponsorships, and written agreements in the future.
To Texas Steakhouse and the staff, my apologies to you as well for any real or perceived negativity towards your establishment. You remain blameless in this issue. I look forward to working with you as do the rest of the Brew Fest and DHJ committee members. I am confident that the ’09 Brew Fest will be a great event for Danville. We all appreciate your continued support.
Most importantly, enough is enough. A little more southern advice from my mom. “ If you can’t say anything nice, don’t say anything at all.” I’m done with blogging about this. I believe I’ve shared all that I know about this scenario and I’m ready to move on to more positive and productive activities. Thank you to the DHJ supporters and my complete and sincere apologies to all I have offended in any manner.
Again, I hope you will join me and the other Brew Fest committee members on November 14. Call me if you want to volunteer!
Rosalee Maxwell – Director of Tourism –
Danville, Virginia
PA, you accuse me of showing my ignorance while reducing yourself to a ranting, raving, cursing fool. Just because you don’t like my opinion doesn’t make it any less worthy.
For your information, I have volunteered my time and DONATED money to causes that I support. Maybe you should check the definitions of ‘volunteer’ and ‘donate’. It may help you understand what I’m talking about. When you have done that and helped organize an event comparable in size and budget to the Brew Fest maybe we can have a civilized discussion.
I have no problem with Brox Boys. I’ve never eaten there, but that’s because they aren’t open when I’m in Danville. I wish them all the success in the world, but I’m not going to hand them $1000 just so they can buy into the Brew Fest.
There is no way the organizers can please everyone. No matter what they do there will be people and businesses that are upset over choices they’ve made. Maybe this fiasco will make them more open to the dissidents opinions. Maybe it won’t. I guess we will see how successful the event is and we can use that as a gauge for the committee’s effectiveness.
So thats the way it is and tough luck? Thats the best answer Ms Maxwell and her cronies can give? Well I for one and many others who intended to go will not be going due to the pure arragance of these “ladies” who say they are promoting Danville. Such a waste……
The FACTS as you speak about are simple. You went after money instead of ethics. You chose the dollar over reputation.
I do not blame Texas Steakhouse for trying to get in but lets face it, they are a corporate chain and could give a rat’s butt about Danville. I’m sure the corporate people paid the money anyway.
I feel that it has been a travesty and based on the people I have talked to it is running 10-1 against the decision.
I will certainly remember this the next time the Department of Tourism wants local businesses to participate in anything.
I will simply reply “Go ask your Director for the money, she seems to know how to raise money and screw the local businesses.”
Watchman, do you have any idea what u are talking about??? Where do you think the folks who work at texass live??? OUt of state?? call officer anderson at DPD and ask him if texas “cares about danville”
Isn’t it sad that a decision made by someone who is supposed to bring people together would be so devisive. Is this the same person who gave $80,000 to a concert promoter only to have it evaporate with no deposits paid or arrangements made. Another bad decisicion of her’s was to help kill the disc golf course which continues to cost the city money as well as the merchants across the street from Ballou Park. Reidsville is already making money off of their brand new disc golf course and the Greensboro paper just reported that 200 people a month pay $2.00 apiece to play. The real problem is lack of oversight by Bill Sgrinia Whatever his staff decides he will stand behind them. This was no doult the caused of the “BLUEBIRD HOUSE FIASCO”. Someones head needs to roll. Maybe it’s the Queen out at the CASTLE ON THE BYPASS with her “let them eat cake” attitude.